One of the packages awaiting my return from South Africa the other day was the just-published third and final volume in Walter Hooper's edition of C. S. Lewis' letters.  Interesting to read, these letters show that Lewis kept up an amazing amount of correspondence!  Correspondence seemed to have been a near daily discipline for Lewis.  There is a fine index, though, even from my skimming, it is, of course, incomplete.  Mr. Hooper (or whoever compiled it) had a tremendous task before him, and the index is large, and will certainly prove useful.  Nevertheless, in simply flipping through the volume, I found a very interesting letter touching on Calvinism which is not so referenced in the index.  Here's just a brief excerpt of this remarkable letter.  Originally written to Mrs. Emily Mclay, Aug. 3, 1953 (on pages 354 & 355 of this volume).

"I take it as a first principle that we must not interpret any one part of Scripture so that it contradicts other parts . . . .  The real inter-relation between God's omnipotence and Man's freedom is something we can't find out.  Looking at the Sheep & the Goats every man can be quite sure that every kind act he does will be accepted by Christ.  Yet, equally, we all do feel sure that all the good in us comes from Grace.  We have to leave it at that.  I find the best plan is to take the Calvinist view of my own virtues and other people's vices; and the other view of my own vices and other peoples virtues.  But tho' there is much to be puzzled about, there is nothing to be worried about.  It is plain from Scripture that, in whatever sense the Pauline doctrine is true, it is not true in any sense which excludes its (apparent) opposite.  You know what Luther said:  'Do you doubt if you are chosen?  Then say your prayers and you may conclude that you are.'"  (pp.354-355).

Hooper then in a footnote supposes that it is the Arminian view "that the divine sovereignty was compatible with a real human free will."  I guess that means that Hooper has dismissed Jonathan Edwards' careful work in "On the Freedom of the Will."  With all respect to Hooper, I would have to go with Edwards on that one.  But I thought you might find this Lewis quotation interesting.

Al, we've all been praying for you, and are thankful that you are home safely.  Our time here passes quickly doesn't it?  Praise God we have a loving sovereign who alone determines the measure of our days.

This just in.

Dear Friends of Southern Seminary:

I am very pleased to share with you that a short while ago Dr. Albert Mohler was discharged from Baptist East Hospital in Louisville, KY. After a two week hospitalization that included extensive abdominal surgery and a four day stay in the Intensive Care Unit due to pulmonary emboli in the lungs, he and the family are overjoyed to be home. This, indeed, is welcome news and a much anticipated milestone in Dr. Mohler's recovery.

Please now pray that Dr. Mohler will gain the rest and strength he needs while recuperating at home in the days ahead. As you may guess, he is eager to resume the full rigor of his Presidential and ministerial duties.

The Mohlers are deeply grateful for the many prayers that have been offered and the expressions of concern so many of you have shown over these past couple of weeks. On behalf of the Mohler family, thank you once again for the Christian love and support you have shown them.

Jason K. Allen

Executive Assistant to the President

The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

2825 Lexington Rd.

Louisville, KY 40280

(502) 897 4121

[email protected]

Our friend Al Mohler, was moved out of intensive care and into a private room at Baptist Hospital East this afternoon and continues to improve following complications from abdominal surgery that was performed Dec. 28.

Russell D. Moore, dean of the School of Theology and senior vice president for academic administration at Southern, and a good friend to the T4G team, said Mohler is in good spirits following a difficult weekend: "I am extremely encouraged after having just left his room. He is eating, he is in good spirits and it looks as though the situation is completely under control at this point. He looks strong, is in remarkably good spirits and is even cracking jokes."

“[Al] is very appreciative of the prayers of God’s people and the outpouring of support from the churches and from the community.”

Al had been placed in intensive care Friday after developing blood clots in both lungs. After nearly a week of intense abdominal pain, he was admitted to the hospital on Dec. 27 and underwent surgery the following day. While physicians reported that the procedure went well and that Mohler’s abdominal issues were remedied, the development of blood clots led doctors to move Mohler to the hospital’s intensive care unit.

It is not yet known when Mohler will be released from the hospital, however Russ said the improvement in Mohler’s condition along with his high spirits were readily evident. “He has a stack of books and articles in his bed along with a massive number of highlighters, so the Albert Mohler I know is back.”

A number of you have written in asking about Al, his surgery and his recovery. Thanks so much for your encouraging expressions of loving Christian concern. He's a quick report from my friend Jason Allen, Al's able assistant.

"Dr. Mohler continues to recuperate from abdominal surgery at Baptist East Hospital in Louisville, KY. Daily he is gaining strength and making progress, but he still has a good deal of recovery before him. Please continue to pray for his complete and expedient recovery and for the Lord to grant him abundant grace during this time of convalescence.

"Dr. Mohler has expressed deep appreciation for all the gestures of encouragement that have come from so many and looks forward to being back in action at Southern Seminary, and behind the microphone at the Albert Mohler program (www.albertmohler.com).

"Thanks again for your prayers and support.

Jason K. Allen

Executive Assistant to the President

The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

Mark Dever has just emailed us this report from his ministry sojourn in South Africa.

"Here's a quick summary of what's going on in South Africa with me. It's been great having Paul Curtis here with me.  I preached at 2 different churches on Sunday, in the same clothes I flew over in the 2 days before!  My luggage only joined me on Monday night!!  Anyway, here at the Grace Minister's Conference, Don Carson is the other speaker.  I'm speaking on expositional preaching, church membership, church discipline and such things.  What you'd expect.  Q&A sessions in the evening.  The first conference ran from Tuesday until this morning.  The second began this afternoon.  I think we've sold out of 9marks books in the first conference (2 more to go) and we've gotten a good number of names & email addresses for 9marks.  Don Carson spoke on John 1:1-18 & I spoke on Expositional Preaching this afternoon, as the second in the series of 3 conferences got started.  Saturday it's off to Cape Town, where I'm to preach at 2 different churches on Sunday.  We repeat all the teaching again in Cape Town next week!  And then I'm to do a separate conference that following Saturday (Jan. 13)!  Whew!"

Thanks Mark. We're praying for you.

C.J. and Mark:

It's a busy week for you, C.J. and Mark, you are in South Africa, right? But Happy New Year to you both dear friends! It was great to be with you in Louisville in December. I'm still laughing about the comedy video C.J.

I just got off the phone with Al and Mary. Al is hurting but healing. We thank God for the excellent medical care he's received and we pray the Lord's blessing on his recovery - it may take awhile. Meanwhile, since Al was supposed to get the conversation started, I'll step in and try to shuffle along in his large and nigh-unto-unfillable shoes.

All four of us long to see churches that are faithful to the following: biblical expository preaching, biblical worship (both in all of life and in gathered praise), biblical doctrine, a biblical pursuit of godliness, a biblical approach to family life, a biblical understanding of the Gospel, a biblical understanding of conversion, a biblical understanding of evangelism, a biblical understanding of discipleship, a biblical understanding of church membership, a biblical understanding of church leadership, and a biblical view of how the church relates to the world. We are agreed, in the main, as to what this ought to look like. But what in our context militates against these things?

Here's my question: what are the key factors afoot in the culture and in the evangelical churches that compromise the churches' faithfulness in the practice of these things? Mark, you bravely touched on this in your post on "relevance or faithfulness" -- but perhaps it would be helpful to ministers and members alike to reflect on the cultural and ecclesial trends and tendencies that are obstacles to biblical faithfulness.

Phil Ryken (in City on a Hill) suggests that narcissism and relativism share much of the blame. Mark, you have also made some suggestions on this issue in you Nine Marks of a Healthy Church. David Wells has offered a number of thoughts on these matters in the series that began with No Place for Truth. I recently started a topical-expository series called "Biblical Priorities for a Healthy Church" and suggested that individualism, relativism and consumerism have shaped our context and often influenced the churches unhelpfully (both in the expectations of members and the methods of ministers). However, there are certainly less high-flying but just as important factors that we could point to: ministerial professionalism, congregational affluence, the general cultural moral downgrade, etc.

I realize I'm swimming upstream by even posing such a question. Many will recoil from assuming a negative posture towards the culture, asserting that we ought to be more culture-affirming and less critical. However, in my experience, many who advocate the study of the culture in the pursuit of ministry end up confusing is with ought, and basically suggesting that the churches generally aim to sail with the prevailing winds.

I know you three brothers to be both astute observers and critics of culture, as well as faithful to biblical priorities for church life and Gospel ministry, so I value your insights. Feel free to take my question in other directions if you think another approach or angle would be more constructive for those attempting to be both faithful and relevant today. Or just suggest some reading to us.